SUMMARY

MANILA, Philippines – Long-term and systematic monitoring will ensure the survival of marine resources in the West Philippine Sea, scientists said in a forum on Monday, May 13.

“These [underwater resources] are our treasures, but we don’t have a lot of information on what’s going on,” said Jonathan Anticamara, professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) Institute of Biology (IB). “We don’t look at them.”

The West Philippine Sea covers around 40% of Philippine waters. In an article published in 2021, the Philippine Space Agency cited studies showing that the area has a diverse marine ecosystem, including 30% of the coral reef in the Philippines. The area also contributes to 27% of commercial fisheries production in the country. 

The Philippines, however, does not have …

Source:https://www.rappler.com/science/long-term-monitoring-marine-resources-needed-west-philippine-sea/